Sanford-Fritch comes up short in a heartbreaker

November 27, 2012

The Sanford-Fritch Eagles were the lone county team still active in playoff action this weekend. They played Colorado City in Plainview on Saturday afternoon in the 2A Division II area game. They lost in heartbreaking fashion, 21-19, in a game that went down to the wire.
Junior Andrew Reynolds started things out right for the Eagles as he returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for the score.
It was a close game throughout, in which the biggest lead was eight points. The game came down to a controversial call made in the first half, and extra point conversions. Colorado City was 3 for 3 (something they haven't done all year), while Fritch only converted one of their extra point attempts.
The controversial call came at the end of the first half with the game tied at 7. Eagle junior defensive back Reynolds, leaped in the air around the Colorado City 20-yard line and appeared to intercept a pass from quarterback Mark Henderson. As Reynolds crashed into the ground, the ball not only popped out, it rolled toward the goal-line where a hustling wide receiver Jonathan Jackson recovered at the 5-yard line. The line of scrimmage had been the 49-yard line. The officials ruled a fumble. Their decision was the ground did not cause the fumble and no incompletion, meaning Reynolds had control as he crashed to the turf. Colorado City scored from 1 yard out with just 26.2 seconds remaining in the half.
Fritch came out from the half and answered in the 3rd with Ryan Blakely making some nice moves and escaping for a 48 yard touchdown. Colton Valle's extra point attempt was blocked.
Colorado City answered back, however, and went ahead 21-13 with 1:42 remaining in the game.
Fritch was down but definitely not done. Valle returned the kickoff for 60 yards, setting the Eagles up at the Colorado City 32 yard line. A few plays later, Cody Brom was wide open in the end zone and Blakely found him for the score. Sanford-Fritch set up to go for two, but they could not convert.
The Eagles' Brady Robbins recovered the onside kick for Fritch, but a sack by Colorado City ended the final crazy seconds and the Eagles' chances.
Sanford Fritch finished with 177 total yards compared to Colorado City's 239. Fritch star Colton Valle was held to just 43 yards rushing. Ryan Blakely was the leading rusher with 102 yards on 14 carries. He was 9 for 15 in passing with 27 yards. Reynolds, Blakely, and Brom each had a touchdown for Sanford Fritch.
These guys started off this year struggling, and fought their way to a district championship. They should hold their heads up high for a season well done! Congrats on your achievements this year, Eagles!